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Monday, March 17, 2014

The Rosicrucian Knight and The Modern Rite

The practice and conception of French or Modern Rite in Brazil stands out for its spirit of philosophical and progressive rational reform. That is why from the point of view of ritual, and with constant reflection on those values, the Brothers of the Grand Orient of Brazil, especially the Supremo Conselho do Rito Moderno, have endeavored to disseminate information pedagogically and to show its relevance to our century. Under the banner of the new Masonry, that is, Freemasonry for the third millennium, the fruit of this Masonic vision appears in a book published some years ago by the "Supreme Conselho do Rito Moderno" and translated into Spanish by the Circulo de Estudios del Rito Frances "Roëttiers de Montaleau."This text was approved and updated by the Supremo Conselho do Brazil.

The philosophical foundations inherent in this Rite, are notably distinct from other existing religious and even mystical visions, which are further contrasted in the High Grades or Orders of Wisdom. For this reason, an interesting introductory work on the grade of Knight Rosicrucian Order of Wisdom IV Modern Rite this excerpt from the writings of M. •. Il. •. H. •. Onias Antonio Neto, Honorary Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite, located in Brazil , (and now in Eternal East) is offered here, and we are forever deeply grateful for his Masonic and human example and his teachings.

It must be noted at the outset that the Rosicrucian Knight Grade has nothing to do with AMORC, or other Rosicrucians or forms of Rosicrucianism.

Among the first times we see this degree in Masonry is in the Rite of Heredom or Perfection in 1765 in France, formalized in the regulation of 1784 that will gradually become the basis for what would later be known as the Modern or French Rite. The Degree of Knight Rose Croix comes to crown symbolically, since our entry into the Masonry, the events and the initiation of grade 4, I First Order, citing the resumption of our steps in the Order, the subsequent destruction of the Temple, the loss of our ideals, the loss of the word until the rebuilding of the Temple, the search for the lost word and in the end reunion. The words we learn when we are initiated, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, now we are going to discover in their full and complete meaning. FREEDOM is the symbol of human thought. The body and the spirit is freed from all bonds. But is it sufficient that only man is to be free? Is it possible that freedom without balance will not lead to licentiousness or abuse by the strongest? Yes, so we will find the name of this balance in EQUALITY! We saw the progress we made to find meaning, the word imposed by Justice. Yet later we saw the need to unite the above words. Man does not impose justice to be charitable, but for the obligation to be fraternal. Then is found the third word, FRATERNITY. In us as human beings, beings of a common origin, we have to consider all as Brothers, and such is the duty of solidarity. Not for compassion, humbling or exaltation, but for brotherly love.

We note other characteristic symbols of this degree, such as the Scientific Rose and Cross, which give their names to it.

What is its meaning?

The Rose is the symbol of discretion, purity, and of fire.
The Scientific Cruz, with equal arms, is a symbol of harmony, the result of the balance between opposites, and according to some authors, symbol of the crucible where flames the purifying fire (Rosa). In the Cross we see the initials of the Sacred Word of the degree.

What is its meaning?

Having researched all its possible meanings evident in the design of the Modern Rite, scientific and rational, we must accept the expression "Indefesso Nisu Repellamus ignorantiam", which translated means "With tireless effort we fight ignorance", which we always have a duty to uphold. We can however, conceivably interpret the above as "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" which translated gives us "the whole of nature is renewed by fire", fire being already symbolized by the Rose.

With this interpretation we return to the Radiant Triangle which in the apprentice grade we interpret as "creation, destruction (by fire, whether physical or symbolic), and reconstruction," how nature works in its constant and eternal motion.

Any other interpretation that we present is only for investigation of religious or other rites. It should be mentioned once again that there is no religious connotation, whether Christian or of another religion, in the Rosicrucian Knight Degree in the Modern Rite, just as there is no Jewish connotation to be taken from the use of the Old Testament in earlier grades.

Another important Rosicrucian Knight Degree symbol is the pelican. Firstly you need to deconstruct the myth that the pelican rends its chest to feed her children with her own blood. What the bird is doing is pressing its crop with its beak to regurgitate food for her chicks. Nevertheless, demystifying the legend does not eliminate the symbolic value of the sacrifice that Masons should aim to practice to fulfill their obligations and promises, and to follow the ideals of the Sublime Order. In reaching the apex of symbolic and philosophical studies our commitments become more mature. The social edifice is crumbling.We must reconstruct it.

Another item that deserves attention in our Rite is the interpretation of the sign of the Order or B.P. sign. The immobilization of arms should be interpreted as the absence of need for their use, and the spreading eagle wings formed by the hands, represents the symbol of mental power. The Mason who reaches the Grade of Rosicrucian Knight finds unnecessary physical work or exertion, since having maximized their mental powers, they are available to resolve problems universally.

Regarding the Sign of Recognition, made with the index, shows our concern and our grasp of the things of the Earth and the Universe. There are no limits imposed on the possibility of investigation in our search for truth. No dogmas to lead us, while we can investigate and discuss this degree from many approaches, we must pay attention not to stray from the fundamental principles of the Rite.

Joaquim Villalta, V ª Order · Gr. 9
Member of the Supreme Conselho do Rito Moderno - Brazil
Member of Council of the Modern Sublime Rite for Ecuador
Member of the International Academy of the First Order V - UMURM
Member of the R:. Lodge of Research "Marquis de Gages" - GLMAE

The Hedge Mason's Friends:

E C Ballard is a Folklorist, and Ethnographer specializing in Afro-Caribbean traditions of Central African origin, Fraternalism, Celtic Studies and Ethnomusicology, having received his Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania. Eoghan has been variously musical instrument maker, bookseller, college professor, academic dean, and independent researcher. Eoghan is Tata Nganga, a Vodousaint, and is a Master Mason, Orator for Lodge Intrepid, and GM of GLMRNAC, affiliated with UMURM.